Alvernia University Athletics

Gwynedd Valley, Pa. (Nov. 11, 2021) - Alvernia University (3-1) held off a second half push by Gwynedd Mercy (2-1) to secure an 80-70 win over the Griffins on Thursday night in non-conference men's basketball action at Gwynedd Mercy.

Alvernia led by nine at the half, and extended its lead to as much as 12, before Gwynedd Mercy marched back in the second half and was able to tie it up. Alvernia was able to refind its rhythm to pull away for the 80-70 win.

Gwynedd scored the opening points of the game off a 3-pointer by Manny Clark, but Alvernia responded with a three of its own off the hands of Malik Green to tie it up at 3-3 on the next possession. 

The Griffins and Golden Wolves traded points over the next few minutes until Jacob Stoudt came in off the bench for Alvernia, knocked down a corner three, and gave Alvernia a 9-8 lead with 14:22 to go in the first half. A minute later, Stoudt knocked down another 3-pointer to extend Alvernia's lead to 12-8. 

Alvernia's lead lasted just four minutes as the Griffins worked their way back and retook the lead off a 3-pointer by Aziz Parker with 10:26 left on the clock. 

Both teams would again trade the lead over the next seven minutes until Avery Walker knocked down a three to put Alvernia up 31-28 with 3:36 left in the half.

Alvernia built its lead up to ten points over the two and half minutes following a 9-2 run that included five points from Luke Edwards off the bench. Alvernia went on to take a 41-32 lead into the break. 

The Griffins got into foul trouble early out of the break and Alvernia took advantage, going 8-for-10 from the line in the opening three minutes to maintain a double-digit lead, 47-36, with 17 minutes to play. 

A made free throw by Walker with 15:05 to play put Alvernia up 12, 52-40, but the Griffins came storming back.'

The Griffins went on a 12-0 run to tie it up at 52-52 with 10:55 to play. 

A 3-pointer by Stoudt ended Alvernia's scoreless drought to put Alvernia back up, 55-52, but the Griffins came back up and tied it up twice more over the next two and a half minutes. 

A layup by Walker with 7:51 to play gave Alvernia the lead for good, 59-57. 

The Golden Wolves then went on a quick 9-0 run that included threes from Walker and Green to extend their lead to 66-57 with 4:20 to play.

The Griffins started fouling with just under two minutes remaining and Alvernia made an additional 10 free throws in the final two minutes to take the 80-70 win.

Alvernia was led by Walker who finished the night with 17 points. Mickeel Allen posted his first double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Alvernia was 26-for-36 from the line and shot 33% from beyond the arc. The Griffins were also impressive from the line, going a perfect 11-for-11. 

The Golden Wolves return to action on Saturday at Immaculata.